Carousel



Nov. 2 1926. 1,605,687 7 C. E. MORRIS v CAROUSEL Filed April 23, 1921 3Sheeis-Sh est 1 WITNESS: I N VEN TOR.

m ATTORNEY.

Nov. 2 1926. 1,605,687

. c. E. MORRIS CAROUSEL Filed April 23, 1921 3' Sheets-Shani 5 OWITNESS: Q I N VEN TOR.

- aazo j 1 am 01W W ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. MORRIS, OF LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOCHARLES W. PARKER, OF LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS.

GAROUSEL.

Application filed April 23, 1921. Serial No. 463,898.

My invention relates to improvements in carousels.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a center drivecarousel, which is simple, cheap to make, readily assembled anddisassembled for storage or shipment, which is durable and not liable toget out of order, which is strongly braced and which can be arrangedcompactly for storage or shipping.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel driving means forrevolving the platform.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel platform.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel means forbracing the track.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel means for bracing theplatform sections and for revolving the platform.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel platform sectionadapted for use in platforms of different diameter without alteration ofthe section and which is self-contained and adapted for separate storageand shipment.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodimentof my invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of my improved carouselapparatus.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. is a vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the track and its anchoring means Fig. 5 is avertical section on the line 5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional View on the line 66 of Fig. 7,

Fig. 7 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the center drive mechanismand parts connected therewith.

Similar reference characters designate sin'iilarparts in the differentviews.

The track which is annular and which may be circular or oblong, iscomposed of a plurality of self-contained sections, each con'iprising aframe 1, Fig.4, which is wedge-shaped in plan, and which supportsarcuate rails 2.

The frames 1 are supported at their ends by inwardly and outwardlyadjustable ties 3, each of which has secured to its upper side twoblocks 4, which are arranged to overlap, at their inner ends theadjacent section frames 1 for holding the latter from outward or upwardmovement.

Centrally of the track is a horizontal annular anchoring member 5, whichis connected by the tie rods 6, with the ties 3. The tie rods 6 aredisposed tangentially with reference to the center member 5, whereby themember 5 is held from any turning movement due to the torsional strainexerted by the driving mechanism.

Each tie rod may be provided with a turn buckle 7, by which the rod maybe contracted or extended.

By means of the mechanism just described, the track is anchored and thecenter memher 5 is held from turning.

The ring member 5 is supported on a stationary frame 8, Figs. 6 and 7,and the latter supports an annular channel member 9, on which is mountedan annular horizontal gear wheel 10, having vertical pin teeth which areengaged at the inner side of the gear by two diametrically oppositepinions 11, respectively rigidly attached to two vertical shafts 12,mounted respectively in bearings 13, which are supported by a centralframe 14, provided with a central sleeve 15, revoluble on a verticalstud 16, provided centrally on the frame 8.

The frame 14 supports a suitable motor, such as an electric motor 17 thearmature shaft 18 of which has secured to it a sprocket wheel 19, whichis connected by a sprocket chain belt 20, with a sprocket wheel 21,which is rigidly secured to a central horizontal shaft 22, rotatablymounted in bearings 23, carried by the frame 14.

Rigidly attached to opposite ends respectively of the shaft 22 are twobevel gear wheels 24, which mesh respectively with two bevel gear wheels25, which are respectively rigidly secured to two vertical shafts 26,which are rotatably mounted respectively in bearings 27, carried by therame 14.

The shafts 26 have respectively rigidly (ill secured to them pinions 28,which respectively mesh with spur gear wheels 29, which are respectivelyrigidly attached to the shafts 12, by which the pinions 11, are rotated.

When the motor 17 is operated, the pinions 11 will be rotated by themechanism just described and by engaging with the annular gear 10, willeffect a revolution of the frame 14. The latter may be provided withcarry ing wheels 30, arranged to travel on the upper side of the gear10.

Braking means are provided consisting of two brake wheels 31,respectively rigidly secure-d to the shafts 12, and respectivelyembraced by two brake straps 32, each of which is attached at one end toa plate 38, secured to the frame 14. The other end of the strap 32,shown at the right, in Figs. 6 and 7, is attached to a lever 34, whichis pivoted to the plate The lever 34 is attached to one end of a rod 35,the other end of which is attached to a lever 36, below the fulcrumthereof.

The other end of the brake strap 82 shown at the left in Figs. 6 and 7,is attached to a lever 37, which is pivoted to the adjacent plate 33,and which has pivoted to it a lever 88, which is pivoted to a plate 39,supported by the frame 14. The lever 38 is attached to one end of a rod40, the other end of which is pivoted to the lever 36, above the fulcrumthereof.

Byswinging the lever 36 in the proper di rection, brake straps 32 can bemade to effect a braking pressure against the brake wheels 31, forslowing or stopping the revolving movement of the frame 14.

The frame 14 is provided with a horizontal ring member 41, to which areattached the inner ends of tie rods 42, the outer ends of which areattached to the inner sides of rectangular self contained platformsections 48, each of which has parallel ends 44, Figs. 1 and 3. The tierods 42 are disposed tangentially to the ring member 41, therebypreventing any torsional movement, when the motor 17 is operated torevolve the platform through the intermediacy of the frame 14 and thering member 41, and tie rods 42.

Intermediate of the platform sections 43 are wedge-shaped platformsections 45, which are rigidly secured to the adjacent ends of adjacentsections 43, and which are each supported by a carrying wheel 46,mounted in a bearing 47, secured to the under side of the section 45.The wheels 46 run on the outer rail 2 of the track.

Each section 43 is provided on its under side with bearings 48, in whichare rotatably mounted two carrying wheels 49, arranged to runrespectively on the inner and outer rails 2.

By having the ends of each self contained platform section 43 parallelwith each other, the sections are adapted to be used without change inplatforms of different diameters.

By means of the construction above described, the revolving platform isretained in its proper operating position with respect to the track bythe tie rods 42, and the center frame 14 which is rotatable on thestationary frame 8, the track being tied to the latter by the tie rods6. The tangential disposition of the tie rods 6 and 42 with respect tothe frames 8 and 14, prevents relative turning of the frame 8 withrespect to the track and of the frame 14 with respect to the platform,which relative turning might, otherwise, occur due to the strain appliedby the driving mechanism through the intermediacy of the pinions 11, andgear 10. By having the platform tied to the frame 14, and the latterrevoluble on the frame 8, to which the track is anchored, no care needbe used nor time lost in establishing proper relationship between theparts when they are being assembled, as these parts when connectedtogether automatically effect the proper relationship between them.

I do not limit my invention to the struc ture shown and described, asmany modifications, within the scope of the appended claims may be madewithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In a carousel, a stationary member, a memberrevoluble on the stationary member, an endless track encircling saidmembers, tie rods connecting the track and the stationary member andtangential to the latter, a platform revoluble on the track, tie rodsconnecting the platform and the revoluble member and tangential to thelatter, and driving means connecting said members, substantially as setforth.

2. In a carousel, a stationary member, a member revoluble on thestationary member, an endless track encircling said members, tie rodsconnecting the track and stationary member and tangential to the latter,a platform revoluble on the track, tie rods connecting the platform andthe revoluble member and tangential to the latter, an annular gearattached to the stationary member, a pinion meshing with said gear androtatable on said revolving member, and means for rotating said pinion,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES E. MORRIS'

